Cambodia and France are preparing to bring hundreds of business leaders, investors and institutional representatives together in Phnom Penh for the third Cambodia France Business Forum, scheduled for November 16 and 17, 2026. The Ministry of Commerce and the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Cambodia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly organise the event, which will take place alongside the 20th Francophonie Summit on November 15 and 16.
The forum is expected to attract more than 400 companies and business leaders and will focus on practical commercial opportunities, investment, trade and partnerships between Cambodia and France. Organisers say the event will provide opportunities for business to business meetings, sector discussions, business to government engagement and networking, while also giving French companies a closer look at Cambodia as a potential gateway to the wider ASEAN market.
“The 2026 Cambodia France Business Forum is designed to turn long standing bilateral relations into practical business opportunities, stronger private sector connections and new pathways for French investment in Cambodia and the wider ASEAN region.”
Cambodia and France Prepare for a Major Business Gathering
The Ministry of Commerce and the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Cambodia signed the MoU in Phnom Penh to formalise their cooperation in preparing the third Cambodia France Business Forum. The agreement was signed by Tith Seychanly, Director General of Trade Policy and Promotion at the Ministry of Commerce, and Julien Bert, Vice President of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Cambodia, in the presence of Commerce Minister Cham Nimul.
The agreement establishes a framework for both organisations to coordinate preparations, business participation and programme development. The timing is significant because the forum will be held immediately alongside the 20th Francophonie Summit, bringing additional international attention to Phnom Penh and creating an opportunity to connect diplomatic, institutional and commercial discussions.
For Cambodia, the forum represents more than another business networking event. It provides a platform for the government and private sector to present investment opportunities, strengthen commercial relationships and engage directly with French companies and investors. For French businesses, the event offers an opportunity to better understand Cambodia’s changing economy and identify potential partners, customers and investment opportunities.
Why the 2026 Forum Could Be Different?
Julien Bert described this year’s forum as a special edition because of its close connection with the 20th Francophonie Summit. With Phnom Penh expected to attract Cambodian, French and Francophone economic, institutional and political stakeholders, the event is positioned to receive a broader international profile.
“But this edition will also be exceptional in terms of global participation expected. We will have the honour of the Prime Minister Hun Manet,” he said, noting that his presence demonstrates the importance attached by the Royal Government to the development of the private sector and strengthening economic relations between Cambodia and France.
The expected participation of more than 400 companies, business leaders and other stakeholders could give the forum substantial commercial value. Rather than focusing primarily on ceremonial exchanges, organisers intend to make the two day programme centred on meetings, dialogue and business opportunities. For companies looking to expand in Cambodia, that practical orientation could make the forum particularly relevant.
“For the 2026 edition, our guiding principle remains efficiency and usefulness for the entire France Cambodian ecosystem,” he said.
That emphasis on efficiency and usefulness is important for investors and executives. Business forums are most valuable when discussions lead to concrete partnerships, investment discussions, market access and follow up opportunities. The 2026 programme appears designed around those objectives.
A Long Standing Relationship Is Moving Further Into Business
Cambodia and France have maintained historical and diplomatic ties for decades, but their relationship has increasingly developed into a broader economic partnership. Samheng Bora, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce, said French companies have already contributed to Cambodia through investment, employment creation, skills development, technology transfer and integration into international markets.
The contribution of foreign companies to employment and skills development can be particularly important for an economy seeking to strengthen its productive capacity. Technology transfer and connections with international markets can also help local businesses participate in wider supply chains and develop stronger commercial capabilities.
“At the same time, Cambodia offers growing opportunities for French businesses, as our economy continues to diversify, our domestic productive capacity expands, and our integration with Asian, regional and global economies continues to deepen,” Bora said.
That assessment places Cambodia within a wider regional context. The country is not being presented only as an individual consumer market. Its deeper integration with Asian, regional and global economies is part of the investment proposition being highlighted to French companies.
Cambodia Wants More French Investment
The Ministry of Commerce sees the forum as an opportunity to strengthen private sector participation, open new trade opportunities and deepen long term commercial relationships between the two countries.
“The MoU formalises our shared commitment to jointly organising the 3rd edition and maximising the forum’s impact to foster strong private sector engagement, unlock new trade opportunities, and deepen long-term business ties between Cambodia and France,” Bora said.
The reference to private sector engagement is particularly relevant for entrepreneurs and investors. Strong government relations provide an important foundation, but sustainable economic cooperation ultimately depends on companies finding viable commercial opportunities. The forum is therefore expected to bring public and private sector participants together around specific business interests.
“Through this partnership, we also see significant potential to further position Cambodia as an attractive destination for French investment and as a strategic gateway to the ASEAN markets,” he added.
For French companies considering Southeast Asia, the gateway proposition is an important part of Cambodia’s investment story. The forum gives Cambodian officials and business representatives an opportunity to communicate that proposition directly to French executives while allowing potential investors to explore local partnerships and sector opportunities.
Business to Business Meetings Will Take Centre Stage
The second day of the forum will focus heavily on business to business engagement, sector discussions, investment opportunities and networking. These sessions are expected to allow Cambodian and French companies to explore partnerships, exchange expertise and identify areas where their commercial interests overlap.
The 2026 edition will also feature targeted business to business meetings based on the specific needs and interests of participating companies. This approach could make the event more useful for executives who are seeking concrete commercial connections rather than general networking alone.
For startups and growing companies, such meetings can provide access to potential partners, investors, suppliers and customers. For established businesses, they can create opportunities to explore market expansion, technology partnerships, distribution arrangements and other forms of commercial cooperation. The effectiveness of these meetings, however, will depend on the quality of preparation and the ability of participating companies to clearly communicate what they are seeking.
Direct Dialogue With Cambodian Authorities
The forum will also create opportunities for businesses to engage directly with government officials through ministerial workshops and business to government sessions. These discussions are expected to address regulatory matters, investment opportunities and sector development.
For investors entering a new market, direct access to policymakers can be valuable because regulatory requirements and market conditions often influence investment decisions. Having an opportunity to raise questions with relevant authorities can help companies better understand Cambodia’s business environment and identify areas requiring further clarification.
The business to government component also reinforces the forum’s broader objective of connecting private sector interests with national economic priorities. Instead of treating business and government discussions as separate activities, the organisers are creating space for both sides to discuss opportunities and challenges directly.
Sector Discussions Could Open New Partnerships
Alongside business meetings, sector specific roundtables will bring together Cambodian and French business leaders, experts and decision makers. These discussions are intended to examine strategic sectors and explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
The sector approach could be particularly useful because investment decisions are rarely based on broad country level information alone. Companies need to understand individual markets, potential partners, regulatory conditions and commercial demand. Sector discussions can provide a more focused environment for those conversations.
For Cambodia, these sessions also offer an opportunity to demonstrate areas where French expertise, investment and technology could complement the country’s economic development. For French companies, they can provide a clearer picture of where local demand and partnership opportunities may exist.
The Francophonie Summit Adds International Visibility
Holding the business forum alongside the 20th Francophonie Summit gives the event a wider international setting. Phnom Penh will host both political and economic gatherings within the same period, bringing together participants from Cambodia, France and the broader Francophone community.
This combination could increase the visibility of Cambodia’s private sector and investment environment among international stakeholders already travelling to the capital for the summit. It also creates an opportunity to connect cultural and diplomatic relationships with commercial engagement.
For Cambodian businesses, the timing could provide additional exposure to international companies and institutions. For investors, the concentration of senior political, institutional and business representatives in Phnom Penh creates a potentially valuable environment for understanding Cambodia’s position within the Francophone community and the wider Southeast Asian economy.
What the Forum Means for Cambodian Businesses?
The Cambodia France Business Forum is not only relevant to French companies. Cambodian businesses can also benefit by using the event to establish international partnerships, find new customers, explore technology cooperation and learn from companies operating in more developed international markets.
The presence of more than 400 expected participants could create a broad networking environment across different sectors. Companies that arrive with clearly defined objectives, prepared presentations and specific partnership proposals are likely to be better positioned to take advantage of the meetings.
The forum could also help Cambodian businesses build stronger links with French and Francophone markets. Such connections may become increasingly valuable as Cambodian companies look beyond the domestic market and seek international partners, expertise and investment.
A Strategic Opportunity for Cambodia’s Investment Position
The government’s message surrounding the forum is clear. Cambodia wants to strengthen its relationship with France not only through traditional diplomatic cooperation but also through deeper economic engagement.
For investors, the most important question will ultimately be whether the relationships developed through the forum lead to actual investment, trade and long term partnerships. The signing of the MoU is an important preparatory step, but the forum’s longer term value will depend on what happens after the meetings conclude.
The focus on practical business opportunities, targeted meetings, government engagement and sector discussions gives the 2026 edition a structure designed to support those outcomes. If companies use the forum to develop genuine commercial relationships, the event could become an important platform for expanding Cambodia France economic cooperation.
Cambodia France Economic Ties Enter a New Chapter
The third Cambodia France Business Forum comes at a time when Cambodia is seeking to deepen international investment relationships and strengthen its position as an integrated Southeast Asian economy. With more than 400 companies and business leaders expected, the November gathering has the potential to become an important meeting point for investors, entrepreneurs, government officials and business executives.
The event will also test whether long standing diplomatic and historical ties can be translated into stronger commercial connections. Its emphasis on business meetings, investment opportunities, sector discussions and direct engagement with government authorities suggests a clear focus on practical results.
For Cambodia, the opportunity extends beyond attracting French investment. Stronger commercial ties with France could also help connect Cambodian businesses to wider European and Francophone networks while reinforcing the country’s position as a strategic gateway to ASEAN. The real measure of success will be what partnerships, investments and trade opportunities emerge after the forum, but the November event provides a significant platform from which those relationships can begin.